The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has dismissed reports circulating on some online platforms alleging that its staff are planning an industrial action, describing the claims as false, baseless and intended to mislead the public.
The Council said the clarification followed a joint meeting between its management and the leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, NEPC Unit, where both parties reaffirmed that the Council continues to enjoy industrial harmony with no planned or contemplated strike action.
In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Aliu Seidu Sadiq, the Council urged the exporting community and the general public to disregard the reports. He said: “The purported strike action is false, baseless, and should be disregarded by the general public.”
According to the statement, the Chairman of the ASCSN, NEPC Unit, Comrade Moruf Ogunlana, confirmed that neither the union nor its members had authorised or been consulted on any purported strike action, stressing that the reports did not emanate from the union.
The union also distanced itself from the online publications and pledged continued cooperation with the management in sustaining the peaceful industrial atmosphere within the Council.
Addressing reports alleging the appointment of directors, the management clarified that no new directors had been appointed.
It explained that the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, has continued to rely on the existing organisational structure while strengthening staff capacity through training and professional development rather than outsourcing responsibilities.
The Council noted that under the current leadership, opportunities for career progression have expanded through the widening of the directorate cadre and the creation of advancement pathways across all staff levels. It added that more than 75 per cent of NEPC personnel have received professional training since 2023.
Management also highlighted several initiatives introduced under the present administration, including the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), which has trained over 500 youths and women in garment and bag production for export.
The Council and the union jointly dismissed allegations of favouritism and nepotism, describing them as unfounded.
The union maintained that the Executive Director/CEO, Mrs. Ayeni, has consistently demonstrated fairness, professionalism and inclusiveness in her administration, treating employees equitably irrespective of tribe or background.
NEPC further stated that the Council has recorded notable achievements since Mrs. Ayeni assumed office in 2023, including Nigeria’s record non-oil export value of $6.1 billion in 2025—the highest in the Council’s history—which it attributed to reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Council also cited the implementation of a comprehensive third-party certification programme covering HACCP, FDA, HALAL and ISO standards, through which more than 150 exporters have secured internationally recognised certifications, enabling them to access premium global markets.
NEPC urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading reports, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining cordial labour relations while advancing Nigeria’s non-oil export agenda in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
